Chapter 45: No Future

"He won just like that?"

The entire audience was left dumbfounded; even some inner-court powerhouses felt completely at a loss. This was likely the most baffling victory in the outer court's history. The loser was utterly bewildered, and the winner looked just as confused.

"The first half was going so well, how did it suddenly go awry at the end?"

"Don't ask. If you must, blame Xu Xiaoshou. Seeing a result like this is just... normal for him."

"Haha, I've been following his matches since the beginning. If the outcome isn't bizarre, he's not Xu Xiaoshou!"

"But this is the semi-final..."

Many still couldn't quite believe it. A semi-final, usually a fierce struggle in previous years, had ended so haphazardly today?

"Suspicion received, Passive Points +664.""Suspicion received, Passive Points +121.""..."

Let alone the spectators, Xu Xiaoshou himself was utterly bewildered. His victory, in fact, was largely due to Mu Zixi's bite. Otherwise, the final outcome might have been entirely different. If she hadn't given in to that moment of greed and pushed him off the stage while he was paralyzed, Xu Xiaoshou might truly have been beyond saving. But there were no "what ifs."

He collected himself, walking along and cheerfully responding while constantly checking the Passive Points that were furiously accumulating in his mind from being questioned. "Excellent!"

As he entered the waiting area, the barrier immediately cut off external information, but the incessant point accumulation in his mind continued.

"Suspicion received, Passive Points +2.""Suspicion received, Passive Points +2.""..."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the two rigid staff members, a helpless smile on his face. "I walk forward with the swift wind, leaving a trail of question marks behind me..."

The contestant, who had passively advanced to the finals, entered the changing room, washed off all the blood and grime from his clothes and body, and then meditated on a resting chair.

Xu Xiaoshou took out a spirit crystal, inhaling its scent as he recalled the battle. Mu Zixi, he had to admit, was incredibly strong! She was another girl who had broadened his combat horizons; her innate, unorthodox fighting styles were truly eye-opening.

Zhao Qingteng, Mu Zixi... Zhou Tianshen counted as half, he supposed.

Xu Xiaoshou began to anticipate how his strength would transform once he reached the Innate Realm. Perhaps then, he would no longer be limited by the few Passive Skills in his mind, but could truly unleash his full power and strike in all directions.

"However, it must be because the time has been too short; I haven't been able to acquire more powerful Passive Skills..." Xu Xiaoshou narrowed his eyes. The time since he acquired the Passive System had been far too brief. Even with frantically earning Passive Points during this period, he had only managed to obtain six Passive Skills. Combining them effectively to reach the finals had been genuinely challenging. Perhaps with more time, and with increased skill quantity and levels, he wouldn't even have to rely on innate attribute power...

"Hmm, very logical!" Xu Xiaoshou nodded emphatically.

Two staff members huddled in a corner, whispering, "He's at it again..."

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened. *These two!* "Don't they realize I have 'Perception' now?" Hmph!

He turned his back, took out a Spirit Refinement Pill, and inhaled deeply, quickly recovering his state. His original best plan was to observe Mo Mo's battle, but he had sustained somewhat severe injuries during his fight with Mu Zixi. While "Endless Regeneration" could heal him, it still required time. So, Xu Xiaoshou simply closed his eyes to rest, no longer allowing himself to be disturbed by external matters.

A short while later, a staff member woke him. "Has the match started?"

"No." The staff member pulled a letter from his pocket. "Elder Qiao sent this for you," he said.

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow. What could be so important that it warranted a letter? Oh, right. Elder Qiao was likely watching the match and couldn't come to the waiting area himself. This letter probably only made it in due to Elder Qiao's status.

Xu Xiaoshou tore open the envelope. Inside, three large characters were inscribed:

"SEALING TECHNIQUE!"

*Whoosh!*

Spiritual energy surged forth, incinerating the letter. Xu Xiaoshou fell into deep thought. "What does 'Sealing Technique' mean?" "Is it related to Mo Mo, my opponent in the finals?"

Currently, the only relevant event was the upcoming final, and undoubtedly, his opponent would be Mo Mo.

"Speaking of which, it seems no one has truly witnessed the full extent of this outer-court Senior Sister's abilities..."

"Every opponent was knocked off the stage in just a few moves. Could it be related to this 'Sealing Technique'?"

"Is this also an innate attribute power?"

"But how does it seal? Does it seal spiritual power?"

The single letter brought forth even more questions, so Xu Xiaoshou decided to stop pondering it. If it truly sealed spiritual power, it would essentially have no effect on him. Currently, he barely used spiritual energy in combat, aside from the four sword moves of "White Clouds Drifting." Even if he genuinely lacked spiritual energy, simply taking out a Spirit Refinement Pill would cause a mere half-second of stiffness before he fully recovered; it was hardly a hindrance.

"Call me when the finals start." He told the staff member, then closed his eyes again, resuming his comprehension of sword intent.

The staff members quickly assented and sat down to drink tea. But before their teacups could even be lifted, they began to tremble violently. An inexplicable sword intent emanated from Xu Xiaoshou, causing the tea to slosh out. The two staff members exchanged silent glances.

"Cursed, Passive Points +2."

Xu Xiaoshou, cultivating with closed eyes, curved his lips into a faint smile, and immediately, the teacups trembled even more violently.

"Cursed, Passive Points +2, +2, +2, +2..."...

*Thwack!*

At the edge of the arena, Mo Mo struck with a palm, sending her burly opponent tumbling off the stage. Xiao Qixiu's voice then promptly echoed.

The audience erupted in gasps of astonishment, everyone wearing an expression that was both surprised and yet understanding.

"Once again, she knocked her opponent off the stage with just her left hand! Senior Sister Mo is truly... too powerful!"

"Indeed, not even in the semi-finals has anyone managed to force Senior Sister Mo to use her right hand, which always carries that bronze cauldron! It's incredible!"

"By the way, what exactly is that small bronze cauldron? We've never seen Senior Sister Mo actually *use* it!"

"I don't know. Perhaps carrying it prevents her right hand from moving too freely, giving opponents a sliver of hope..."

"Hmm... she's too strong. I wonder if Xu Xiaoshou can even force her to use both hands..."

Mo Mo stood upon the arena, her white robes fluttering gracefully. Strictly speaking, her appearance wasn't particularly striking; one might even call her ordinary. But beneath the series of accolades and mystique surrounding her, no one could overlook this woman.

Zhang Xinxiong's expression shifted. He turned his head and said, "This Mo Mo is very powerful. If I were also at the early Yuan Court Realm, I might not be able to defeat her." He paused, then added, "In a prolonged battle."

Liu Zhen was stunned. Even after Xu Xiaoshou and Mu Zixi's intense battle in the previous match, Zhang Xinxiong had offered no comment, yet he spoke so highly of such an ordinary-looking woman...

"So, against Senior Sister Mo, one must finish the fight quickly?"

Zhang Xinxiong nodded. "Precisely! Every one of her attacks carries a peculiar special effect that diminishes an opponent's abilities. I can't even discern what kind of ability it is."

"Is it Senior Sister Mo's innate attribute power?"

"Perhaps..."

Liu Zhen fell silent, pondering what kind of unique ability this was. Among Innate Realm masters, the Five Elements powers were the most commonly awakened. The more unusual the attributes, the more formidable they tended to be. Of course, the prerequisite was knowing how to effectively wield them. Otherwise, one would be better off praying to awaken the more mainstream Five Elements powers!

Mo Mo was precisely this type of genius. Her bizarre ability to weaken opponents, combined with her agile movements, made her invincible in any prolonged battle.

Liu Zhen recalled Xu Xiaoshou's battle during the qualifying rounds and asked, "What about the finals, Brother Xiong?"

"An Innate Physique...?" Zhang Xinxiong shook his head, a scoff escaping him as the bizarre image of "reverse sword control" flashed through his mind. He couldn't fathom how such a person had managed to reach the finals. Perhaps, there really was such a thing as a "Child of Luck"!

He slowly shook his head. "Xu Xiaoshou... has no future!"